Medical History Interest Group Lecture on Monday April 9

The Medical History Interest Group invites you to attend “The History of PTSD: How Cultural Narratives Affect the Patient Experience” presented by Assistant Professor in the Department of Bioethics and Interdisciplinary Studies, Sheena M. Eagan, MPH PhD.

This presentation will explore and examine the cultural narratives used to explain war-related trauma disorders such as shell-shock and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We will examine how modern western medicine’s inability to understand the mind-body connection has led to problematic and stigmatizing explanatory narratives. Focusing on PTSD, we will explore how this cultural narrative blamed and stigmatized victims of trauma. From the veteran’s perspective, this has meant being injured twice—once in battle, and again by their own community through isolation and stigmatization. Analysis will show that cultural mores surrounding gendered social roles have long shaped our understanding of trauma-related psychological disorders on the battlefield. Beyond that, discussion will make clear that the way victims were discussed in professional literature, and viewed within the social framework confounded harm and paved the way for the future stigmatization of these groups.

Sheena Eagan is faculty with the Department of Bioethics and Interdisciplinary Studies at the Brody School of Medicine. She is a medical ethicist with advanced and specialized training in military medical ethics, the history of medicine, and public health. She has taught courses on military medical ethics for the past three years as part of Yale University’s Summer Institute in Bioethics. Prior to coming to ECU, Dr. Eagan provided ethics education to military service-members, DoD contractors, and families. Dr. Eagan has published original research on the topics of military medical ethics, military medical history, bioethics, and public health ethics. She has also lectured with the International Committee of Military Medicine, as part of their annual military medical ethics workshop, and the NATO Center for Excellence in Military Medicine. Additionally, she has presented academic papers at numerous national and international conferences.

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

The lecture will also feature a pop-up display.

Lectures may be video recorded.
Visit our directions page for information on on getting to the library and parking.

Visit our MHIG Lecture Series page for the presentation schedule.
To see the recordings from earlier seasons, please click on the “Past Presentations” link at the top of the presentation schedule page.

RSVP via Facebook here:  https://www.facebook.com/events/615925548754081/

This is a Wellness Passport event.